Lucknow, Sep 11 The Allahabad High Court on Friday initiated contempt proceedings against the Uttar Pradesh Chief Information Commissioner for alleged non-compliance with an order passed by it in April.
Hearing a contempt petition filed by Vishal Kumar Gupta, Justice Saurabh Lavania of the Lucknow bench issued notice to CIC Raj Kumar Vishwakarma and sought an explanation as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for alleged wilful and deliberate disobedience of the court's order.
The court fixed the matter for October 13 and directed Vishwakarma to appear before it and explain his position if the earlier order had not been complied with.
The contempt petition relates to the April 3 order, under which the petitioner had been permitted to submit a fresh personal representation before the competent authority regarding his service-related grievances.
The court had directed the authority to pass a clear and reasoned order in accordance with law within four weeks of receiving the representation.
Gupta alleged that the directions were not complied with within the stipulated period, prompting him to approach the high court again through the contempt petition.
The court, however, gave the CIC another opportunity to comply with its earlier order.
It said that if the April 3 order had already been complied with, Vishwakarma could file a compliance affidavit before the next date of hearing, in which case his personal appearance would not be necessary.
If the order had not been complied with, the court directed the CIC to ensure compliance within two weeks of receiving knowledge of the contempt order.
He was also directed to file a compliance affidavit along with proof of payment of Rs 5,000 to the petitioner as costs.
The court clarified that the amount would not be paid from the state government treasury.
It further said that if compliance, along with the affidavit and proof of payment of the Rs 5,000 cost, was submitted within the stipulated period, the CIC would not be required to appear personally before the court.
